1943-44

Team Standings:

1. Boston

2. Chicago

3. Windsor

4. Hamilton

5. Toronto

6. Montreal

7. Detroit

8. Philadelphia

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9. New York

Season Summary:

The 1943-44 Season began with several teams weakened by the war effort. Windsor in particular saw 5 of it's players leave for military duty including superstars Gil Matthews and George Allen. In the wake of dissapointing season, Toronto and Hamilton both fired their coaches after the 1942-43 season. The Racers hired longtime winger Chuck Patrick as their new head coach and improved to 5th place. New York once again found themselves outside of the playoff picture. However, there would be a twist at the end of the season. The once powerful Windsor Wings, depleted from the war and losing money every day, would be forced to suspend operations at seasons end, reducing the league to 8 teams and allowing New York into the playoffs. This would be the only time in history that every team in the league would participate in the playoffs. In the playoffs Boston proved to be dominant once again, soundly defeating New York, Detroit, and Chicago to become the first team to win back-to-back Lewis Cups.